1 of 2 baby golden tamarins at Topeka Zoo dies

TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) – Topeka Zoo officials say one of two golden lion tamarins born last week at the zoo has died after it was rejected by its parents.

The zoo said in a news release Tuesday that the mother rejected one of the babies two days after it was born July 10. Zoo Director Brendan Wiley said zoo staff tried to care for the baby and persuade either parent to care for it.

Both babies were nursing Saturday but on Sunday zoo staff found the baby that had been rejected dead. Wiley said tests are being conducted and zoo officials don’t know why the mother rejected the newborn.

Wiley said the other baby tamarin appears to be doing well and has been well cared for since its birth.